Vehicle-body



J. E. FRENCH. VEHICLE BODY.

(No Model.)

Patented Dec. 7,1897.

IJV' VENTUR.

.11 ttorneys.

WITNESSES. @fl/M amjd 1m: nomus m on. PnoTau-ma UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOEL -E. FRENCH, OF PLUTO, MISSISSIPPI.

VEHICLE-BODY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 594,942, dated December 7,1897.

Application filed July 16, 1897. Serial NO. 644,779. (No model.)

This invention relates tonew and useful improvements in buggy or road-wagon bodies; and it consists in the construction and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter fully set forth, and pointed out particularly in the claim.

The object of the invention is to provide a vehicle-body with-portions of its sides hinged to its bottom,so that said sides may be lowered, thereby rendering a vehicle'having a body of the piano pattern more easily gotten into and out of, means being also provided for holding said sides raised or closed and for easily and simply releasing them, which obj eat is attained by the construction illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a buggybody provided with hinged sides or gates as made in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a detail of the construction employed for locking and unlocking the gates, and Fig. 3 is a detail in section of one of the springlatches.

Referring to the numerals of reference, 1 designates the bottom of the box, and 2 the sides thereof.

3 represents the hinged portions or gates, said gates being suitably hinged or attached with a movable connection to the bottom of the body in such a Way that they will be adapted to swing downward to the position shown in Fig. l, or still further down to a vertical position.

It will now be seen that a buggy-body provided with-hinged gates, when made in accordance-with my invention, may be more easily entered and departed from, as the side first encountered in approaching the buggy may be lowered, thus avoiding the necessity of having to step over the side.

Referring particularly to the means for holding the sides up when closed, 4 indicates latch-cases which are secured one at either end upon the inner side of the gates 8, and 5 represents latches which are adapted to move longitudinally through apertures in the ends of said cases. Passing through the rear walls of cases 4 across their interiors and united to said latches are plungers 6. Surrounding said plungers are coiled springs '7, the tendency of which being to normally force the latches outward.

8 indicates a plate which has a knob 9 secured to one side thereof and a shank 10 projecting from the opposite side, said shank being provided with a knob 9, corresponding in size and formation to knob 9. Pivoted in the bifurcated sides of said plate 8 are rods 11, the opposite ends of which are pivotally connected with the outer ends of the plungers 6. Thelength of shank 10 is such that it may project through the gate and support the knob 9 upon the outside thereof, as will be readily understood.

Having thus fully set forth my invention, What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

Ina vehicle-body, the combination of the bottom, the side and end pieces secured there-- to, portions of said sides hinged to said bottom, the latch-eases 4 secured to the inner sides of said hinged portions, the movable plungers and latches mounted in said cases, the coiled springs 7 surrounding said plungers'within said cases, the plate 8, the rods 11 having one of their ends pivoted to said plate, their opposite ends being pivoted to said plungers, the knob 9 secured to one side of said plate, the shank 10 projecting from the opposite side; said shank being provided with a knob 9, all arranged as shown and adapted to operate as set forth.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signaturein presence of two witnesses.

JOEL E. FRENCH. Witnesses:

J. G. Wilson,- J .0. GORDON. 

